Economic downturns and suicide mortality in the United States, 1980-2010: observational study
   
By Sam Harper, Thomas J. Charters, Erin C. Strumpf, Sandro Galea, and Arijit Nandi
  
  International Journal of Epidemiology, 2015
  
  February 20, 2015
  
  
  
1. Dataset preparation and empirical analysis all used Stata version 13. 

2. The tables and figures in the published version of the paper may be replicated by downloading the two datasets (“suic-econ-data1-census.dta”, “suic-econ-data2-cps.dta”) and running the master do-file called “suic-econ-master.do”. Note that the do-files contained in the replication material assume that the datasets needed are in the same location as the do-file. 

3. The log file called “suic-econ-master.log” shows the last iteration of do-file executions prior to posting (21 Feb 2015), and reproduce all of the findings in the paper. However, because of confidentiality issues related to using US vital statistics data, we are forbidden to upload the complete mortality detail files.

4. In particular, the US NCHS revised its confidentiality policy and removes all geographic indicators from the detailed mortality files from 2005 onward. The NCHS policy is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/dvs_data_release.htm, and access to the data may be obtained via a data agreement with NCHS (see below).

5. In light of these confidentiality concerns and to respect our data agreement with NCHS, we have removed the years of data from 2005 onwards. The do-files should still execute on the 1980-2004 datasets, but the results will differ from the estimates and standard errors that are presented in the paper.

6. (From NCHS): Getting customized mortality data under restricted conditions. Following the process outlined below, researchers may request customized micro-data files (birth, death, fetal death, and linked birth/infant death) and compressed files (death only) containing geographic detail for all States and counties for those data years with limited (1989-2004) or no (2005 forward) geographic detail in the public-use files. Data for approved projects will be provided on CD or DVD at no cost. Our current agreement with the states on the re-release of restricted data requires a review of all such data requests by the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) which represents state vital registrars. The review by NAPHSIS is conducted prior to the NCHS review and includes both federal and non-federal requests for restricted data files. The review process is as follows:

a. The researcher submits a completed project review form, available from NAPHSIS, to the NAPHSIS review team. Some states have laws, regulations or policies that prohibit release of certain data items. In the course of the review, the NAPHSIS review team will determine whether the request contravenes any of these state limitations. The researcher will be notified by NAPHSIS of their decision on the data request. NCHS will also be apprised of the NAPHSIS review decision, at which time NCHS will conduct its usual review.
b. If the proposal is approved, NCHS will send the researcher (and his/her contractors if federal) a Data Use Agreement. All data users associated with the research must agree to the conditions of usage, including the following:

i. Researcher and associates will use a data file only for the purpose stated in the proposed scope of work;
ii. The researcher will return the micro-data or compressed files to NCHS or destroy the data files within one year unless renewal is requested and approved.
iii. The data files cannot be shared with any other staff not listed in the data use agreement.

7. If the project proposal is denied, alternative access may be available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC) which has specific procedures to follow for controlled access to micro-data files. Use of the RDC entails costs to the data requestor. See the NCHS RDC website for specific procedures.
  
  
    
